I am so behind in updating you about Lucie! I’m so sorry! Yesterday was Lucie’s birthday. We spent the day doing fun things with her. Ryan and I took her to the zoo, had lunch at Bread Co., got cupcakes at the Cup, and went swimming. We’re looking forward to her party on Sunday. Seriously, how is our baby a year old already?
A year ago at this time we heard our fate for the first time. April 4 was my first appointment with Fetal Care Institute. April 8 was my MRI and confirmation of what Dr. Vlastos has already suspected. Lucie had congenital diaphragmatic hernia. For us it was a relief to know what was wrong. For several weeks all we knew was something was wrong. There was fluid around her lungs and we had no idea why. There is still no known reason for the fluid bedsides God giving us a sign Lucie was sick. This started our new “adventure” for lack of a better word. Weekly checkup a turned to biweekly appointments turned to twice a week appointment. And ultimately an indefinite stay at St. Mary’s. I look back at the year and I have so many emotions and thought. Why us seems to pop into my mind a lot. Wasn’t it enough that Ryan has major eye issues or seizures? Wasn’t it enough to put us through all that and know that it will continue to be a struggle for us? But apparently God feels that we are major bad asses and handle more- which we did. I gave birth to a baby I was unsure would live. She lived and showed everyone she’s boss. Now she’s even ahead on some things and her lungs look like any other kid’s lungs. How did we get so blessed? How is the feeling of despair turned into a major blessing? God amazes me. I never know what he’s going to throw at me, but I do know he will help me handle it.
Lucie is now 9 months old. She weighs 15 lbs 6 oz. she is 2′ 3″. she cruises around like nobodies business. I’m pretty sure she will be walking before the end of May. I am in awe of her daily. Every time she says “hi” or dada” or “yea”. When she waves at me or gives dada a high five I can’t believe she can do that already. I’m feeling pretty emotional thinking about this time last year, and I feel like I’m have a hard time expressing how happy I actually am. Or maybe I’m just sad I have Lucie sleeping in her own bed all night now. I did love my snuggles.
I can tell I’m starting to ramble. I want to say, though, thank you for following Lucie’s story. Thank you for praying for her and for loving her. Please continue to pray for her, but more importantly all CDH babies. April is CDH awareness month and I am spreading awareness everyday. Feel free to share this blog to someone- anyone- and help save the sick babies still fighting everyday.
I just wanted to share some pictures of Lucie. She’s doing great. She’s been crabby the past two days- not sure why though. She did get her last synagis shot Monday! Wahoo! I’m so happy I don’t have to call and find out why it hasn’t been shipped ever month any more.
Lucie has surgery follow up yesterday at Cardinal Glennon. She’s been dealing with a pretty nasty little cold the past few days so I was concerned. Her X-ray came back looking great. Dr. Chatoorgoon said that it looked pretty much like a normal chest X-ray. Yay! We don’t have to go back to Cardinal Glennon for six months! If her cough becomes more persistent, though, we are to take her into the pediatrician. Right now it sounds like the phlegm is breaking up though.
The little monkey is really busy all the time. She is always climbing on and over me or Ryan. She pulls herself up and takes steps holding onto the couch. She learned how to open the fireplace so we now have to baby proof that. She is very active.
We have been working on her sleeping in her room and we get at least a couple hours each night. With her head cold I haven’t pushed as much as I would if she felt 100%.
I’ll update more soon.
Time is starting to really fly. Lucie hit all kinds of milestones during January. She mastered sitting up for long periods of time. She started feeding herself. She can drink out of a sippy cup. She started CRAWLING. She PULLED HERSELF UP. Really, Lucie??? Why do you have to be so big.
She went for her six month check up finally and had a major growth spurt in January. As of January 2nd she was in the 12th percentile for height. As of Monday she jumped to the 30th! She measures in at 2’2″. She weighs 14.13 lbs.
This miracle baby who I worried if she would hit milestones “on time” is ahead by a month to two months. I am so proud of her.
With all the snow and the horrible flu season, we’ve stayed put for the most part. I did sign Lucie up for the little gym and swim lessons. We did an introductory class at the little gym and we start next week. Swim lessons were cancelled due to the snow. We start swim tomorrow.
We’ve been working on getting Lucie in her own crib at night and out of our room. So far we get two hours Lucie free. Oh well. Part of me wants her in our room and part of me wants her to be ready to be in her own room. As Ryan said, she’s just not ready yet.
I will update with pictures from swim soon!
We had a wonderful Christmas. Lucie and I skipped all the big family functions due to some unfortunate events that led to Lucie not getting her December Synagis shot yet. Basically, a buy out has messed everything out and we will hopefully have it in on the 31st, but Lucie has a slight ear infection and a lot of congestion that could prevent her from getting it right away. As long as she is getting better than when we visited the doctor yesterday she can get her shot. Speaking of doctors, she weighed in at 13 pounds 12 ounces! She is getting pretty darn big.
Any way, it has been a wonderful week with Ryan and I both off hanging out with Lucie. I couldn’t be happier with how 2013 has turned out. We have had some pretty high highs and some pretty low lows, but I would not change one minute of this past year. Yeah, what Lucie went through sucked royally, it has made us stronger and proved to me she is the strongest in this family. Our hero continues to prove to us how amazing she is everyday!
Lucie is growing and changing so much. I feel like everyday she reaches a new milestone. She is eating solids and loves carrots! Oatmeal is starting to grow on her, but not her favorite. She can sit up by herself for a few seconds at a time. She tries crawling, kind of, and most of the time ends up going backwards. She amazes me with how far she has come.
For the most part we are not leaving the house this winter to avoid getting sick. We had a busy weekend, but did what we could to prevent any germs. She met Santa on Saturday and went to baby Doughty’s baby shower. Saturday really messed up her schedule and Sunday (today) she took a three hour nap! Instead of catching up on housework like I should have, I took a nap too!
She is truly my miracle. I am so in love!
I know I have been bad about posting lately. Lucie is 4 months and truly a happy, healthy baby. I am so thankful everyday that God answered our prayers and granted her health. I posted before that she has been rolling over. She doesn’t love to do it but prefers to scoot herself in circles. She can officially laugh and it’s adorable.
Besides Lucie growing, Ryan is really growing as a dad lately. She is finally in his comfort zone with babies and he is always being so goofy to make her smile.
I’ll post again after her dr. appointment on the 15th. We moved back her 4 month check up so I didn’t have to bring her in twice for shots since she gets a monthly shot to help prevent RSV.
I haven’t updated in awhile. Baby girl is growing like a weed and just thriving. She started smiling at everything lately. She is such a happy baby.
She rolls over pretty easily now- even got it on video. She still gets mad when she is trying and her body just won’t go, but her definitely knows what she is doing.
I’ve noticed she is grabbing a lot more on her own. I can leave her to play on her play without me being right next to her and she won’t freak out. Lucie is doing so well and I am so proud of where we have come from.
Until next time.
Lucie has been doing great. We are really getting in a routine everyday. I just wish she would sleep longer than two hours at a time at night. I do miss sleeping. She is so happy and plays on her play mat or on the floor every morning before I go to work. She is so strong and rolling to her side already. Sh has rolled from her side to her belly for me. She talks and smiles a lot. Overall, she is a really happy baby…until I have to take a shower. Every night when Ryan is in charge while I shower, all she does is cry.
Last week she was hoarse, so I took her into the doctor. She had laryngitis which is a viral respiratory infection. This week she just seems stuffed up. When I suction the mucus out you would think I was killing her with the way she screams.
Sunday, she was baptized. It was an amazing day with all of our family surrounding us. She is so special and her family really knows how to make her momma happy. Thank you to all that came. 
Lucie's Journey 